BACOLOD City — The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has raised its alert level following an armed encounter between government troops and communist rebels in Sitio Matal-i, Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on October 28.
In a statement, the Public Information Office (PIO) of PRO-NIR said appropriate security and coordination measures were immediately implemented after the clash between elements of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) of the Philippine Army and members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).
Upon receiving the report, the Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station (MPS) was directed to prepare an initial operational report and coordinate with Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for a possible crime scene investigation.
The unit was also instructed to ensure proper coordination with Army troops operating in the area and to submit progress reports in collaboration with the 62IB.
To ensure readiness, field commanders were ordered to deploy a section of personnel on standby for immediate reinforcement and coordinate with intelligence operatives of the 62IB, Moises Padilla MPS, and the 604th Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion–NIR (RMFB-NIR) for continuous monitoring.
The PRO-NIR also placed all hospitals and health facilities within the area of responsibility under observation for the possible admission of wounded CTG members.
Meanwhile, all nearby police stations were directed to maintain a heightened security posture, validate all reports requiring immediate response to prevent enemy “bait-and-catch” tactics, and conduct checkpoint operations in strategic areas to intercept possible rebel movements. Stations were likewise tasked to monitor hospitals for the possible identification of injured CTG members.
Authorities confirmed that during the firefight, a six-year-old boy was killed after being hit in the head by a stray bullet while he and his family were inside their home.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it remains in close coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to sustain peace and security operations across Negros Island./PN
